Pb Hyperaccumulator Research Articles

Phytoaccumulation and effect of lead on yield and chemical composition of Mentha crispa essential oil

Heavy metals such as lead (Pb) accumulated in soil may become a problem for plant growth and human health. An alternative is to grow nonfood crops in these contaminated areas. A pot experiment was carried out in order to investigate the effect of increasing doses (900, 1,800, 3,600, 7,200, and 9,000 mg kg−1) of Pb on the yield and chemical composition of essential oil and phytoaccumulation of garden mint (Mentha crispa L., Lamiaceae). It was observed that the length of the root and aerial parts of this species was not significantly affected in different assayed experiments when compared to the control. However, the leaf number, budding, and green mass were very influenced by the presence of Pb in the soil, showing a significant resistance. Regarding Pb phytoaccumulation, it was verified an accumulation of this metal in roots and aerial parts. Although M. crispa is a species that tolerates high concentrations of Pb, it is not considered a Pb hyperaccumulator species. Considering the production of essential oil, a high amount of Pb affected significantly its yield, and it was 10 times higher under extreme contamination conditions than the amount of oil produced by the control. The chemical composition of M. crispa essential oil was also affected by high Pb doses, and its major component (carvone) concentration varied from 39.3% for cultivation in noncontaminated soil (control) to 90% for all cultivations in Pb-contaminated soils.

Availability and accumulation of lead for forage grasses in contaminated soil

The forage grasses are explored for the phytoremediation of heavy metals from contaminated areas. The present study evaluates the tolerance of forages grasses to Pb and the availability of Pb for the Mehlich 1, DTPA, and USEPA 3051 and 3052 extraction methods. The forage grasses cultivars Panicum maximum cultivars Aruana and Tanzânia, Brachiaria decumbens cultivar Basilisk, Brachiaria brizantha cultivar Xaraes and Marandu were assessed. Each cultivar was grown in a greenhouse in Diamantina, Brazil, in Typic Hapludox (Oxisol). The Pb was applied to the soil at doses of 0, 45, 90 and 270 mg kg1 soil in a randomized design with four replications. The experiment was conducted over a 90-day trial period. Increasing Pb doses in the soil caused a reduction of growth in all varieties studied, and the “Basilisk” forage was generally more tolerant to Pb, while the Xaraes forage was generally more susceptible to the addition of Pb. The lower transfer coefficient of the cultivar “Basilisk”, due to the high Pb content and accumulation in its roots, makes it the most suitable for phytoremediation programs, with possible uses in pasture areas. None of the varieties can be considered a Pb hyperaccumulator. The Mehlich 1, DTPA, USEPA 3051 and USEPA 3052 extraction methods indicated different doses of Pb in the soil, and the Mehlich 1 method demonstrated the lowest level of metal extraction from the soil. No correlation was observed between the forage grasses growth and the measurement of Pb in soil by the studied extraction methods, especially for the Mehlich 1 and DTPA methods, suggesting the inefficiency of these techniques for determining the phytoavailability of Pb.

Comparative evaluation of phytoremediation of metal contaminated soil of firing range by four different plant species

The phytoremediation potential of Helianthus annuus, Zea maize, Brassica campestris and Pisum sativum was studied for the soil of firing range contaminated with selected metals i.e. Cd, Cu, Co, Ni, Cr and Pb. The seedlings of the selected plants germinated in a mixture of sand and alluvial soil were transferred to the pots containing the soil of firing ranges and allowed to grow to the stage of reproductive growth. Subsequently they were harvested and then analyzed for selected metals by using AAS. Among the studied plants, P. sativum exhibited highest removal efficiency (i.e. 96.23%) and bioconcentration factor for Pb thereby evidencing it to be Pb hyperaccumulator from the soil of firing ranges. Z. maize appreciably reduced the levels of all the selected metals in the soil but the highest phytoextraction capacity was shown for Pb i.e. 66.36%, which was enhanced to approximately 74% on EDTA application. H. annuus represented the highest removal potential for Cd i.e. 56.03% which was further increased on EDTA application. Thus it proved to be an accumulator of Cd after EDTA application. It was therefore concluded that different plants possess different phytoremediation potentials under given set of conditions.

The effect of EDDS and citrate on the uptake of lead in hydroponically grown Matthiola flavida

Root and shoot lead concentrations and the impact of chelating agents on these were investigated in two populations of the novel metallophyte Matthiola flavida. Plants were exposed in hydroponics to Pb(NO3)2, supplied alone, or in combination with citric acid, or EDDS. When supplied at concentrations expected to bind about 95% of the Pb in a solution containing 1-μM Pb (1000μM citrate or 3.1μM EDDS, respectively), the root and shoot Pb concentrations were dramatically lowered, in comparison with a 1-μM free ionic Pb control exposure. A 1-mM EDDS+1-μM Pb treatment decreased the plants’ Pb concentrations further, even to undetectable levels in one population. At 100μM Pb in a 1-mM EDDS-amended solution the Pb concentration increased strongly in shoots, but barely in roots, in comparison with the 1-μM Pb+1-mM EDDS treatment, without causing toxicity symptoms. Further increments of the Pb concentration in the 1-mM EDDS-amended solution, i.e. to 800 and 990μM, caused Pb hyperaccumulation, both in roots and in shoots, associated with a complete arrest of root growth and foliar necrosis. M. flavida seemed to be devoid of constitutive mechanisms for uptake of Pb-citrate or Pb-EDDS complexes. Hyperaccumulation of Pb-EDDS occurred only at high exposure levels. Pb-EDDS was toxic, but is much less so than free Pb. Free EDDS did not seem to be toxic at the concentrations tested.

Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals by Submerged Macrophytes: Looking for Hyperaccumulators in Eutrophic Lakes

To directly select submerged macrophytes with high accumulation capability from the field, 24 eutrophic lakes along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River were investigated in the study. These eutrophic lakes have large amounts of heavy metals in both water and sediments because of human activities. The results showed that Najas marina is a hyperaccumulator of As and Cd, Ceratophyllum demersum is a hyperaccumulator of Co, Cr, and Fe, and Vallisneria natans is a hyperaccumulator of Pb. Strong positive correlations were found between concentrations of heavy metals in tissues of submerged macrophytes, probably because of coaccumulation of heavy metals. However, for most heavy metals, no significant correlations were found between submerged macrophytes and their surrounding environments. In conclusion, N. marina, C. demersum, and V. natans are good candidate species for removing heavy metals from eutrophic lakes.

Study on the Accumulation Characteristics of Hyperaccumulator Phytolacca Acinosa Roxb on Heavy Metal Pb

To study and select the proper hyperaccumulator plants and their growing method for rapid and effective heavy metal contamination cleaning is of great significance for heavy metal contamination restoration and treatment. This research takes Phytolacca acinosa Roxb as experimental material with lead chloride (PbCl2) of various concentrations as different treatment factors, uses potting plant sto simulate natural environment polluted by heavy metal, analyzes the accumulation characteristics of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb on Heavy Metal Pb. The results show that as the concentration of PbCl2 increases, the accumulation of Pb in Phytolacca acinosa Roxb also increases; when the concentration of PbCl2 content reaches a maximum level of 200 mg/Kg, the Pb content of overground part shows a highest level of 1.763mg/g DW, while the Pb content of foot end part is 0.402 mg/gDW. The experiment indicates that accumulation amount of the overground part (S) to that of the foot end (R) is S/R >1, which shows the basic characteristics of Pb Hyperaccumulator.

Genome expression profile analysis reveals important transcripts in maize roots responding to the stress of heavy metal Pb

Lead (Pb) has become one of the most abundant heavy metal pollutants of the environment. With its large biomass, maize could be an important object for studying the phytoremediation of Pb-contaminated soil. In our previous research, we screened 19 inbred lines of maize for Pb concentration, and line 178 was identified to be a hyperaccumulator for Pb in both the roots and aboveground parts. To identify important genes and metabolic pathways related to Pb accumulation and tolerance, line 178 was underwent genome expression profile under Pb stress and a control (CK). A total of approximately 11 million cDNA tags were sequenced and 4 665 539 and 4 936 038 clean tags were obtained from the libraries of the test and CK, respectively. In comparison to CK, 2379 and 1832 genes were identified up- or downregulated, respectively, more than fivefolds under Pb stress. Interestingly, all the genes were related to cellular processes and signaling, information storage and processing or metabolism functions. Particularly, the genes involved in posttranslational modification, protein turnover and chaperones; signal transduction, carbohydrate transport and metabolism; and lipid transport and metabolism significantly changed under the treatment. In addition, seven pathways including ribosome, photosynthesis, and carbon fixation were affected significantly, with 118, 12, 34, 21, 18, 72 and 43 differentially expressed genes involved. The significant upregulation of the ribosome pathway may reveal an important secret for Pb tolerance of line 178. And the sharp increase of laccase transcripts and metal ion transporters were suggested to account in part for Pb hyperaccumulation in the line.

Imaging of metal bioaccumulation in Hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) rhizomes growing on contaminated soils by laser ablation ICP-MS

Understanding Pb removal from the translocation stream is vital to engineering Pb hyperaccumulation in above ground organs, which would enhance the economic feasibility of Pb phytoextraction technologies. We investigated Cu, Pb, Sb and Zn distributions in Hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) rhizomes on shooting range soils by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), analyzing digested rhizomes, stems, and fronds using ICP-MS. Nutrients Cu and Zn concentrated in fronds while toxic elements Pb and Sb did not, showing potential Pb and Sb sequestration in the rhizome. Frond and rhizome concentration of Pb was 0.17 ± 0.10% and 0.32 ± 0.21% of dry biomass, respectively. The 208Pb/13C and 121Sb/13C determined by LA-ICP-MS increased from inner sclerotic cortex to the epidermis, while Pb concentrated in the starchy cortex only in contaminated sites. These results suggest that concentration dependent bioaccumulation in the rhizome outer cortex removes Pb from the vascular transport stream.

A comparison of lead accumulation and tolerance among heavy metal hyperaccumulating and non-hyperaccumulating metallophytes

The aim of the present study was to compare lead accumulation and tolerance among heavy metal hyperaccumulating and non-hyperaccumulating metallophytes. To this purpose, we compared Pb tolerance and accumulation in hydroponics among calamine and non-calamine populations of Silene vulgaris, Noccaea caerulescens, and Matthiola flavida. We established the effects of Ca on Pb tolerance and accumulation in M. flavida, and measured exchangeable soil Pb and Ca at two calamine sites. Results revealed that calamine populations of S. vulgaris and N. caerulescens were Pb hypertolerant, but the calamine M. flavida population was not. Pb hyperaccumulation capacity was exclusively found in one of the calamine N. caerulescens populations. 1) Pb hypertolerance is sometimes lacking in metallophyte populations from strongly Pb-enriched soil, probably due to a relatively high level of exchangeable soil Ca, 2) Ca effectively counteracts Pb uptake and Pb toxicity, 3) The tendency to hyperaccumulate Pb is a population-specific phenomenon in N. caerulescens, 4) Pb hypertolerance in N. caerulescens is not necessarily associated with a tendency to hyperaccumulate Pb, 5) apparent natural Pb hyperaccumulation in M. flavida is not reproducible in hydroponics, probably due to the absence of air-born contamination in laboratory experiments.

The Potential of Eleocharis acicularis for Phytoremediation: Case Study at an Abandoned Mine Site

AbstractPhytoremediation, a plant‐based and cost‐effective technology for the cleanup of contaminated soil and water, is receiving increasing attention. In this study, the aquatic macrophyte Eleocharis acicularis was examined for its ability to take up multiple heavy metals and its potential application for phytoremediation at an abandoned mining area in Hokkaido, Japan. Elemental concentrations were measured in samples of E. acicularis, water, and soil collected from areas of mine tailing and drainage. The results reveal that Pb, Fe, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Mn accumulation in the plants increased over the course of the experiment, exceeding their initial concentrations by factors of 930, 430, 60, 25, 10, and 6, respectively. The highest concentrations of Fe, Pb, Zn, Mn, Cr, Cu, and Ni within the plants were 59500, 1120, 964, 388, 265, 235, and 47.4 mg/kg dry wt., respectively, for plants growing in mine drainage after 11 months of the experiment. These results indicate that E. acicularis is a hyperaccumulator of Pb. We also found high Si concentrations in E. acicularis (2.08%). It is likely that heavy metals exist in opal‐A within cells of the plant. The bioconcentration factors (BCF: ratio of metal concentration in the plant shoots to that in the soil) obtained for Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn, and Pb were 3.27, 1.65, 1.29, 1.26, 1.11, and 0.82, respectively. The existence of heavy metals as sulphides is thought to have restricted the metal‐uptake efficiency of E. acicularis at the mine site. The results of this study indicate that E. acicularis shows great potential in the phytoremediation of mine tailing and drainage rich in heavy metals.

Hyperaccumulation of lead, zinc, and cadmium in plants growing on a lead/zinc outcrop in Yunnan Province, China

A field survey was conducted to identify potential hyperaccumulators of Pb, Zn or Cd in the Beichang Pb/Zn mine outcrop in Yunnan Province, China. The average total concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cd in the soils were up to 28,438, 5,109, and 52 mg kg−1, respectively. A total of 68 plant species belonging to 60 genera of 37 families naturally colonizing the outcrop were recorded. According to metal accumulation in the plants and translocation factor (TF), Silene viscidula was identified as potential hyperaccumulator of Pb, Zn, and Cd with mean shoot concentrations of 3,938 mg kg−1 of Pb (TF = 1.2), 11,155 mg kg−1 of Zn (TF = 1.8) and 236 mg kg−1 of Cd (TF = 1.1), respectively; S. gracilicanlis (Pb 3,617 mg kg−1, TF = 1.2) and Onosma paniculatum (Pb 1,837 mg kg−1, TF = 1.9) were potential Pb hyperaccumulators. Potentilla griffithii (Zn 8,748 mg kg−1, TF = 1.5) and Gentiana sp. (Zn 19,710 mg kg−1, TF = 2.7) were potential Zn hyperaccumulators. Lysimachia deltoides (Cd 212 mg kg−1, TF = 3.2) was a potential Cd hyperaccumulator. These new plant resources could be used to explore the mechanisms of Pb, Zn and/or Cd hyperaccumulation, and the findings could be applied for the phytoremediation of Pb, Zn and/or Cd-contaminated soils.

Accumulation of Pb, Cu, and Zn in native plants growing on contaminated sites and their potential accumulation capacity in Heqing, Yunnan

Phytoremediation is one of the cost-effective and environmental friendly technologies used to remove contaminants from contaminated soils, which has been intensively studied during the last decade. Presently, few economical and effective remediation methods are available for the remediation of Pb contaminated sites. This study was conducted to assess the potential of 19 plants growing on contaminated sites in Pb mine area. Plants and associated soil samples were collected and analyzed for total metal concentrations. While total soil Pb, Cu and Zn concentrations varied from 1,239 to 4,311, 36 to 1,020 and 240 to 2,380 mg/kg, those in the plant shoots ranged from 6.3 to 2,029, 20 to 570, and 36 to 690 mg/kg, respectively. Among the plants, we found that one cultivated crop (Ricinus communis L.) and two native species (Tephrosia candida and Debregeasia orientalis) have a great potential for phytoremediation of Pb contaminated soils, the Pb hyperaccumulation capacity of the 3 plants was found as the order: R. communis > D. orientalis > T. candida in the investigated area.

Screening the phytoremediation potential of desert broom ( Baccharis sarothroides Gray) growing on mine tailings in Arizona, USA

The metal concentrations in a copper mine tailings and desert broom ( Baccharis sarothroides Gray) plants were investigated. The metal concentrations in plants, soil cover, and tailings were determined using ICP-OES. The concentration of copper, lead, molybdenum, chromium, zinc, arsenic, nickel, and cobalt in tailings was 526.4, 207.4, 89.1, 84.5, 51.7, 49.6, 39.7, and 35.6 mg kg −1, respectively. The concentration of all elements in soil cover was 10–15% higher than that of the tailings, except for molybdenum. The concentration of copper, lead, molybdenum, chromium, zinc, arsenic, nickel, and cobalt in roots was 818.3, 151.9, 73.9, 57.1, 40.1, 44.6, 96.8, and 26.7 mg kg −1 and 1214.1, 107.3, 105.8, 105.5, 55.2, 36.9, 30.9, and 10.9 mg kg −1 for shoots, respectively. Considering the translocation factor, enrichment coefficient, and the accumulation factor, desert broom could be a potential hyperaccumulator of Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, As, and Ni.

English

2,3 Abstract: This research was conducted out at a copper mine tailings reclamation project (CMTRP ) located in the Globe-Miami mining district near Claypool, AZ, USA. Desert broom (Baccharis sarothroides) is a very environmentally friendly and available plant that might have phytoremediation potential, grows at the CMTRP. Therefore, in this research metal concentrations both in the tailings and plants (elemental ratio from soil to plant) were investigated. The metal concentrations in the soil cover and tailings were determined using ICP-OES. Based on the concentration, the elements were classified as high level elements (HLE): (K > Al > Fe > S> Ca > Mg > Na > Cu > P) and low level elements (LLE): (Mn > Pb > Mo > Cr > Vn > Zn > As > Ni > Co). The concentration of Cu, Pb, Mo, Cr, Zn, As, Ni, and Co in tailings was 454.9, 209.7, 89.32, 85.6, 51.2, 49.2, 39.3, and 36.3 mg/kg, respectively. The concentration for HLE and LLE in the soil cover was 10~15% higher than that of the tailings except for Cu and Mo. The concentration of Cu, Pb, Mo, Cr, Zn, As, Ni, and Co in desert broom (Baccharis sarothroides) was 819.3, 152.7, 74.3, 56.7, 39.9, 43.1, 97.3, and 26.3 mg/kg for roots and 1212.7, 102.2, 106.7, 104.4, 56.12, 34.3, 31.2, and 10.1 mg/kg for shoots, respectively. Considering the translocation factor (TF), enrichment coefficient (EC), and the concentration of elements in shoots 10 - 500 times more than those in a normal plant, desert broom could be a potential hyperaccumulator of Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, As, and Ni for application in phytoremediation of copper mine tailings.

Control of Lead Polluted Leachate in a Box-scale Phytoremediation Test using Common Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) grown on Lead Contaminated Soil

The remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil using plants is a technology worth developing. However, the overall effect of phytoremediation in high-density Pb polluted sites remains unknown. Especially, little information is available about the effects of using plants to control lead polluted leachate. Thus, we investigated the control of leachate in a box-scale phytoremediation test using common buckwheat, a Pb hyperaccumulator, grown on Pb contaminated soil. In the presence of buckwheat, the change in volumetric water content was smaller than that of the control with rainfall. The total amount of Pb in the leachate strongly correlated with the amount of leachate and the decrease in the density of Pb in the leachate. During the cultivation period, the total amount of Pb leached in the control was 1.28mg per container, while in the presence of buckwheat the total amount of Pb was approximately 22.7% of the control. Moreover, with buckwheat cultivation, Pb polluted leachate resulting from rainwater was prevented. The results suggested that buckwheat was a Pb hyperaccumulator and also had a high ability for phytostabilization. Control of Pb polluted leachate using buckwheat was shown to be a phytoremediation technology applicable to heavily Pb contaminated sites.

Uptake and accumulation of cadmium, lead and zinc by Siam weed [Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & Robinson

The Siam weed, Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & Robinson, Family Asteraceae, was found to be a new Pb hyperaccumulator by means of field surveys on Pb soil and hydroponic studies. Plants from field collection accumulated 1377 and 4236mgkg(-1) Pb in their shoots and roots, respectively, and could tolerate soil Pb concentrations up to 100000 mgkg(-1) with a translocation factor of 7.62. Very low concentrations of Cd and Zn were found in plants collected from the field. Under nutrient solution culture condition, C. odorata from the contaminated site (CS) and from non-contaminated site (NCS) grew normally with all three metals (Pb, Cd, Zn) supplied. However, the relative growth rates of all treated plants decreased with increased metal concentrations. The percentage uptakes of Pb, Cd, and Zn by C. odorata increased with increasing metal concentrations. Pb concentration in shoots and roots reached its highest values (1772.3 and 60655.7mgkg(-1), respectively) at a Pb supply level of 10mgl(-1). While the maximum concentrations of Cd (0.5mgl(-1)) in shoots and roots of C. odorata were 102.3 and 1440.9mgkg(-1), and the highest concentrations of Zn (20mgl(-1)) were 1876.0 and 7011.8mgkg(-1), respectively. The bioaccumulation coefficients of Pb and Cd were greater than 1000. These results confirm that C. odorata is a hyperaccumulator which grows rapidly, has substantial biomass, wide distribution and has a potential for the phytoremediation of metal contaminated soils.

EDTA-enhanced phytoremediation of lead contaminated soil by Bidens maximowicziana

Phytoremediation is a potential cleanup technology for the removal of heavy metals from contaminated soils. Bidens maximowicziana is a new Pb hyperaccumulator, which not only has remarkable tolerance to Pb but also extraordinary accumulation capacity for Pb. The maximum Pb concentration was 1509.3 mg/kg in roots and 2164.7 mg/kg in overground tissues. The Pb distribution order in the B. maximowicziana was: leaf > stem > root. The effect of amendments on phytoremediation was also studied. The mobility of soil Pb and the Pb concentrations in plants were both increased by EDTA application. Compared with CK (control check), EDTA application promoted translocation of Pb to overground parts of the plant. The Pb concentrations in overground parts of plants was increased from 24.23–680.56 mg/kg to 29.07–1905.57 mg/kg. This research demonstrated that B. maximowicziana appeared to be suitable for phytoremediation of Pb contaminated soil, especially, combination with EDTA.

Pb hyperaccumulation and tolerance in common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)

Common buckwheat grown in Pb-contaminated soil was found to accumulate a large amount of Pb in its leaves (8,000 mg/kg DW), stem (2,000 mg/kg DW), and roots (3,300 mg/kg DW), without significant damage. This indicates that buckwheat is a newly recognized Pb hyperaccumulator, which is defined as a plant containing over 1,000 mg/kg of Pb in its shoots on a dry-weight basis. Moreover, it was shown that application of the biodegradable chelator methylglycinediacetic acid trisodium salt at concentrations of up to 20 mmol/kg resulted in a more than five times higher concentration of Pb in the shoot without notable growth inhibitation at up to 10 mmol/kg. These results indicate that buckwheat is a potential phytoremediator of Pb-contaminated soils.

Colonisation of a Zn, Cd and Pb hyperaccumulator Thlaspi praecox Wulfen with indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal mixture induces changes in heavy metal and nutrient uptake

Plants of the Zn, Cd and Pb hyperaccumulator Thlaspi praecox Wulfen (Brassicaceae) inoculated or not with indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal mixture were grown in a highly Cd, Zn and Pb contaminated substrate in order to evaluate the functionality of symbiosis and assess the possible impact of AM colonisation on heavy metal uptake and tolerance. The results suggest AM development in the metal hyperaccumulating T. praecox is favoured at elevated nutrient demands, e.g. during the reproductive period. AM colonisation parameters positively correlated with total soil Cd and Pb. Colonised plants showed significantly improved nutrient and a decreased Cd and Zn uptake as revealed by TRXRF, thus confirming the functionality of the symbiosis. Reduced heavy metal uptake, especially at higher soil metal contents, indicates a changed metal tolerance strategy in colonised T. praecox plants. This is to our knowledge the first report on AM colonisation of the Zn, Cd and Pb hyperaccumulator T. praecox in a greenhouse experiment.

Hyperaccumulation of Pb, Zn and Cd in herbaceous grown on lead–zinc mining area in Yunnan, China

A field survey of herbaceous growing on lead–zinc mining area in Yunnan, China were conducted to identify species accumulating exceptionally large concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cd in shoots. In total, 220 plant samples of 129 species of 50 families and 220 soil samples in which the plants were growing were collected. According to accumulation concentration in plant shoots and the concentration time levels compared to plants from non-polluted environments, 21 plant samples of 16 species were chosen as best-performing specimens, 11 plant samples of 10 species for Pb, 5 plant samples of 4 species for Zn and 5 plant samples of 5 species for Cd. Sonchus asper (L.) Hill in Qilinkeng had hyperaccumulation capacity to Pb and Zn. Corydalis pterygopetala Franch in Paomaping had hyperaccumulation capacity to Zn and Cd. All 5 Cd hyperaccumulators came from Lanping lead–zinc mining area. Out of 11 Pb hyperaccumulators, 7 came from Minbingying of Huice lead–zinc mining area. The average of the concentration time levels compared to plants from non-polluted environments were higher than 10 times in all plant samples, the concentration time levels changed from 203 times to 620 times for Pb, from 50 times to 70 times for Zn and from 145 times to 330 times for Cd. Out of 21 plant samples, translocation factor changed from 0.35 to 1.90, only translocation factor of 7 plant samples were higher than 1. Enrichment coefficients of all samples were lower than 1. These plant species were primarily heavy metal hyperaccumulator, and will be used in phytoremediation of the metallic pollutants in soils after further research in accumulation mechanism.